Former GOP Lawmaker Says ‘Moscow Marjorie’ Doesn’t Reach the Level of ‘Useful Idiot’ In Her Defense of Russia

Former Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) had some harsh words for Marjorie Taylor Greene , the Georgia Republican he has nicknamed “Moscow Marjorie” for her efforts to prevent aid to Ukraine.

Buck, who stepped down in March , appeared on CNN Friday to denounce efforts to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) over the foreign aid bill that includes funding for Ukraine and Israel.

“The government hasn’t shut down as a result of Republicans having a very small majority, again, because Mike has shown leadership,” Buck told CNN’s Erica Hill . “I wouldn’t have voted for the appropriations bills because I think we need to reduce spending, and those bills increased spending, but, Mike had the skill to bring together a coalition on that particular spending package and get it passed, just as he’s done with this foreign aid package.”

Hill said, “So, as you said, you don’t think he’s going to be ousted from office. We’re going to watch for that. I am curious. You were on this show, you called Greene, ‘ Moscow Marjorie .’ The nickname seems to have really taken off, and her anti-Ukraine rhetoric is also getting a lot of attention on Russian state TV.”

Hill then played video of a Russian television personality saying “Speaker Johnson is not the one who is running Congress; Marjorie Taylor Greene is running Congress. Everyone is afraid of her.”

“Well, ‘Moscow Marjorie’ has reached a new low,” Buck said, continuing:

You know, during the Russian Revolution, Lenin talked about American journalists who were writing glowing reports about Russia at the time as “useful idiots,” and I don’t even think that Marjorie reaches that level of being a “useful idiot” here.

She is just mouthing the Russian propaganda and really hurting American foreign policy in the process. She’s acting completely irresponsibly. And, again, when history looks at this period of time, Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukraine is fighting for its freedom, and we should be with the freedom fighters in this war.

Watch the clip above via CNN.